Download Cheese Bits Jun 2001 - Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club Inc.

Volume XLIII
June 2001
Number 6
The Prez Sez
Maybe most of you have seen the Pack Rat moon bounce expedition presentation before, but this was my first exposure. While some rats were probably in transit to Dayton, we had a great presentation by El, K3JJZ about the memorable
event of 25 years ago. I was impressed by several things; but mostly two: the expertise to accomplish this feat w/ 70’s
technology, and more (mostly), the determination and planning involved to pull the whole deal off! It sure makes
Hamarama planning look like “mice nuts”! Thanks to El for the great presentation with all of the “props”, which are now
back in the Pack Rat archive for use another day!
We are fast approaching the Pack Rat “Summer Season!” I am very much looking forward to an enjoyable weekend on the summit of Camelback. No distractions except rag chewing with other participants (I hope). Last year, a family
emergency had me burning the tires out of the lot at sunrise. This year I am hoping to “radio” ‘til the end! I know this
camping stuff, with the associated extra work load, is not for everyone. But, if a daytrip is amenable, come on up to operate
a “class station” and relieve a tired operator. For anyone remaining at the home QTH, turn the equipment ON and run the
bands! Don’t forget to look for postings via our email reflector from our club rovers.
Remember that club elections are to be held at the next meeting. Our election committee chairman Phil,
WA3NUF, has solicited a very good candidate pool for all pending vacancies. We have also reserved space at a different
location. This meeting will be held at Otto’s beer garden on RT 611, near the Willow Grove turnpike exit. After the election process and meeting, we can converse about contest war stories. We will be outdoors, but under cover. Don’t let the
weather deter you from attending!
We are heading into the club “summer session”. There are some “cool” events in the summer for us Rats … First,
(after our new outside election meeting), will be the annual White Elephant Sale. Usually hosted (as far as I know), by
Gary, WA2OMY; happens in July. IMPORTANT: at the moment, the normal night has conflict w/ Gary’s vacation plans.
We may move this event one week earlier at Gary’s QTH, or keep the same date at a different location. This will be determined at the next board meeting, (June 14). Stay tuned to “CB” and the Pack Rat reflector. As far as the rest of the summer
goes, check “CB” for picnic information. The event will be held at the N3ITT country club and resort! Al has hired a witch
doctor to keep the clouds and rain away! Enjoy you summer, especially after a lingering winter, and don’t forget that magic
things can happen during the VHF+ summer season if conditions are right! Turn the stuff ON!
Ed - WA3DRC
June Contest , A Final Plea!
Greetings Packrats, just thought I'd let everyone know that plans are on track for the Pack Rats annual effort for
the 2001 June VHF QSO party! At this time all the major jobs have been claimed , with the notable exception of 2m and
432 Mhz. WA3NUF and W3RJW are considering doing these bands again , perhaps some offers of help would help them
decide. So far everything else looks great , plans are afoot to improve some of the other bands , and K1JT is planning to do
HSMS again. W3GAD and N3OZO have been hard at work planning what I've heard is a even better than ever menu (if
that's possible)! We will , of course have the traditional Pack Rat beverages. Although we have the minimum number of
Rats have signed up so far, we could really use a few more, so I will make a final plea to anyone who can find the time to
come up and help out, to please do so. Not only will you be helping your club, you'll get to partake in the fun, enjoy operating from a great site, enjoy some great food in the great outdoors and "shoot the bull" for a while with some fellow packrats, a win-win situation! For those who operate from home, be sure to work the club station on all bands! We could use
some more help, especially on Mon for tear down. Many, many thanks to those who have volunteered to again make this
event a success! If I somehow missed you, my apologies, please let me know!
LET'S MAKE THIS YEAR'S JUNE CONTEST THE BEST EVER! Hpe. to cu on the Mountain! 73 Al, N3ITT
Cheese Bits
June 2001
1
Pack Rats CHEESE BITS is a monthly publication of the
Mt. AIRY VHF RADIO CLUB, INC. -Southampton, PA.
SUBSCRIPTION RATE: $10.00 PER YEAR (USA)
$12.00 PER YEAR (CANADA)
$15.00 PER YEAR (ELSEWHERE)
We operate on an exchange basis with other non-commercial
publications. Anything that is printed in CHEESE BITS may be
reprinted in a not for profit publication, unless stated otherwise,
provided proper credit is given.
Deadline for articles and swap-shop is the monthly meeting date.
Non-commercial swap-shop items free of charge.
Pack Rat Web Site: http://www.ij.net/packrats
SUBSCRIPTION/ADVERTISING MANAGER:
Bob Fischer, W2SJ 7258 Walnut Avenue, Pennsauken, NJ 08110
(609) 665-8488
[email protected]
EDITOR:
Rick Rosen, K1DS 206 Kimberton Drive Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610)-270-8884
[email protected]
CLUB TREASURER:
Dave Mascaro, W3KM 1603 Mink Road Ottsville, PA 18492
(215)-795-2648
[email protected]
AWARDS CHAIRMAN:
Bob Fox, W3GXB
(346-869-8610)
[email protected]
TRUSTEE OF CLUB CALL - W3CCX
Ron Whitsel, W3RJW
(215) 355-5730
[email protected]
PACKRAT 222 MHz REPEATER - W3CCX/R
222.98/224.58 MHz, Churchville, PA
OFFICERS: 2000-01
PRESIDENT: WA3DRC Ed Finn, [email protected]
VICE PRES: WA3EHD Jim Antonacci,
[email protected]
REC. SEC: WA3AQA Walt Zumbach,
[email protected]
TREASURER: W3KM Dave Mascaro, [email protected]
COR. SECR: AA3GN Joe Landis, [email protected]
DIRECTORS:
W3RJW
(2 Yrs) Ron Whitsel, [email protected]
N3ITT
(2 Yrs) Al Sheppard, [email protected]
N3PLM
(1 Yr) Chris Getman , [email protected]
K1DS
(2 Yr) Rick Rosen, [email protected]
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
June Contest:
N3ITT 610-547-5490
HAMARAMA:
W3KJ
215-256-1464
VHF Conference:
KB3XG 610-584-2489
PACKRAT BEACONS - W3CCX/B
FM29jw
Philadelphia, PA
50.080 144.284 222.065 432.295 903.071 1296.251 MHz
2304.037 3456.220 5763.190 10,368.140 MHz (as of 3/1/01)
MONDAY NIGHT NETS
TIME
FREQUENCY
7:30 PM
50.150 MHz
8:00 PM 144.150 MHz
8:30 PM 222.125 MHz
8:30 PM 224.58R MHz
9:00 PM 432.110 MHz
9:30 PM 1296.100 MHz
10:00 PM 903.100 MHz
10:30 PM 2304.100 MHz
Cheese Bits
NET CONTROL
WA3EHD/K3EOD
N3ITT
W2SJ/N3EXA
W3GXB
W3RJW
WA3NUF
N3AOG
W3KJ
Editor’s Column
At our last month’s meeting, Elliot Weisman, K3JJZ,
gave the slide show and talk about the Packrat 432MHz Moonbounce Expedition to Columbia, SA. As most of the long-term
Packrats well know, this was an international event, started on
somewhat of a whim, after a question was asked why no-one yet
had WAC on 432...because there were no moonbounce stations
on 432 in South America! It progressed with the usual multiple
month planning, complicated logistics, donation collecting, hosting arrangements, shipping, and set-up. Then came the other issues, like line voltage, any voltage at all, and several blown preamps. But the punch-line was that this provided for dozens of
EME 432 contacts for hams all around the world, and enabled
them to get their WAC certificates. Included in the contact list
was one with W3CCX.
I almost fell off my seat when he told us that this coming year marks the 25th anniversary of the moonbounce Dxpedition, and about the 50th time that he has given this talk. It certainly was an inspiration, and another great tale of local club motivation, cooperative activity, and international publicity and ham
hospitality.
I was somewhat reminded by the pictures of a personal
experience that I had in 1969-70, when I studied tropical medicine in Costa Rica, and was able to operate TI2MC, a pair of
Drake Twins and a tribander, set up in the International Center
for Medical Research and Training (ICMRT) in San Jose, in cooperation with the department of Tropical Medicine at Louisiana
State University in New Orleans. Once a week I was given the
keys to the shack to operate and phone-patch back home. It was a
treat to be able to have so many helpful hams phone-patching me
to my wife when I called “CQ St. Louis for a patch.”
I am gung-ho about the June Contest. Or at least I was
until I got into a bit of a scheduling conflict today—that will put
a bit of a damper on my ability to be on for the whole fray, and
will hamstring my attempts to get to the rare grids, but I’m still
looking forward to a block of radio time in the rover. There was a
show on Broadway, “Same Time, Next Year,” that chronicled the
annual exploits of a couple that met once a year for a weekend
fling...the June contest always gives me that recurrent theme. Al,
N3ITT, has done a fabulous job over the years of keeping the organizational plan fulfilled, and I have been a part of teams of
“rats” loading vans, assembling towers and antennas, stacking
frames and rotors, and then getting everyone together to hoist
them safely into position. Many of our steady contributors go
about their self-appointed duties, supplying gear, technical expertise, sledge-hammer muscle, operating finesse, intercom phone
set-up, AC wiring, food planning, purchase, preparation and
clean-up, and logging and log-compilation.
The challenge this year is to get someone on the air or
up to the mountain who has not been there before. Whether it be
a seasoned ham, or a license-less youth, if it’s for just an hour, or
the full weekend, a first exposure to the amazing activity is sure
to be long remembered, and hopefully the magnet that pulls them
back for more.
I am grateful for the additional positive feedback on the
format and content of Cheese Bits this year. There have been
happenings when folks got info passed on through others, like
Joe, K3VEQ, upgrading to General! Congratulations! Thanks to
our many contributors. Can we ask each of you for an article?
See you on 6 thru laser June 9 & 10.
73, Rick, K1DS
June 2001
2
Election Night Meeting and Celebration, Thursday, June 21st
Don't miss the June club meeting on 6/21. The club will hold the annual election of officers and this year
we have a real election!! Your vote is important to determine the direction of the club in the coming
year! The following slate of candidates have agreed to serve if elected:
President - Brian N3EXA,
June Meeting Location
Al N3ITT
OTTO’S
Vice President - Ben WA3RLT, Bob W2SJ
Treasurer - Dave W3KM
233 Easton Rd
Horsham, PA
Recording Secretary - Walt WA3AQA
Corresponding Secretary - Jim WA3EHD
215-675-1864
See map on page 8
Directors (3 required) - Paul WA3GFZ, Joe AA3GN, Joe K1JT,
Joe W3KJ, Phil WA3NUF, John KB3XG
They all deserve our thanks and appreciation for volunteering their time and effort to serve the club.
Now do your part and attend the June meeting to vote for the new officers. We especially appreciate the
efforts of the nominating committee, headed up by Phil, WA3NUF.
You must be present at the meeting to vote.
Mark your calendar for these future events:
Saturday, October 13th— Packrat VHF Conference
Sunday, October 14th—HAMARAMA
Radio Activity for June 2001
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
1
Check out your
gear in preparation
for next weekend
3
4
5
Do all your
“honeydo’s” to free
up next weekend
Monday night
nets-check page 2
for freq and times
10 VHF Contest
11Contest ends at 12
17
18 Monday night 19
continuescontinues-help out
on the mountain!
03:00Z, rest, take
down & return
6
13
25 Monday night 26
Day, Ops encouraged on 6 & 2
nets-share summer
activities
Cheese Bits
8
2
Get extra rest this
weekend in preparation for next
9
Meet at W3GXB
Pack your bags
QTH at 8:30 AM to
for the mountain
weekend of radio fun load vans & depart
VHF Contest
starts at 19:00Z, be
on Camelback Mtn
14 Board of Di- 15
16
rectors meeting @
AA3GN QTH
Thursday, June 21st, Annual Elections
Night Meeting and Club Celebration.
Note Location: Otto’s, 233 Easton Rd
nets-Join the gang
24ARRL Field
7
SAT
27
28
June 2001
29
23
ARRL Field
Day, 2PM EDT Ops
encouraged on 6 & 2
30
3
An external mixer for the HP8555A
Spectrum Analyser Plug-in
This article describes an extension of this useful instrument to 24Ghz
and above, by the addition of a simple add on mixer. In its standard form
the 8555A plug-in for the HP141T Spectrum Analyser will accept inputs
in the range 10MHz to 18GHz via the input N type connector. There is a
modification available to allow access to at least 24GHz via this connector, but 24GHz via an N type is not really recommended. Indeed I believe the modification precludes one from using the external mixer capability. The 8555A will allow the use of an external HP mixer via a front
panel BNC socket and this will extend the range of the instrument to
43GHz, just short of the amateur band! To obtain displays at this sort of
frequency the 8555A LO is automatically multiplied in the external
mixer and mixed with the test signal. In conversation with Brian,
GM8BJF it turned out that he was using a "home-brew" external mixer
to look at a 24GHz signal quite successfully and its was decided to try
this approach to look at 47GHz. Although the amplitude calibration using this method is not really absolute, adjustments for maximum output,
sideband selection and signal cleanliness can nevertheless be examined.
With no genuine surplus HP external mixers available, a small unit
would have to be made as GM8BJF had done. However without access
to a 1N26E diode that Brian had used, experimentation with more readily available diodes was needed. Since the mixer was going to be used at
24GHz and above, it was decided to make the unit in a very short length
of WG20 which was to hand.
The figure shows the outcome of using this approach. The SMA socket
was mounted on a small 4.5mm thick brass block soldered to the guide
broad face, with a ~7.5mm diameter. hole in it to accommodate the
mounting of the diode. A short circuiting brass block was soldered in to
the end of the guide at the position shown. The probe from the SMA
protrudes into the guide via a 2mm hole in the guide wall. The probe
itself can be a wire extension of the SMA pin, or better still the SMA pin
itself.
A number of diodes where tried including those out of LNB’s. All
worked well, but in order to obtain a readily available source the commonly available HP HSMS
8101 diodes which are available from Farnell (Stock No.
994-649) were used. Only
really applicable for use in a
surface mount applications
their packaging is not ideal,
but since maximum efficiency is not required, they
seem quite satisfactory here.
Care should be excised in
soldering in the diode as
static can damage the device.
Correct orientation of the
diode should also be observed, since a positive bias
voltage is applied to it from
the 8555A. There are three
leads on the diode package,
but only two are used so its
should be mounted with the
lettering as shown ensuring
that it is correctly orientated.
It is quite possible that other
diodes such as the DDC4561
or even a 1N21, could also
be used, but these have not
been tried.
The external mixer arrangement on the HP 8555A is
clever in that the DC bias, IF
Cheese Bits
and LO all share the same cable to the mixer. Thus if a short length short
length of good SHF cable is used, suitable for use at 2-4GHz (e.g SUCCOFLEX) no difficulty should be experienced in obtaining results. Adjustment of the "Ext. mixer bias" pot on the 8555A optimises the mixer /
multiplication process for best signal into the analyser.
Since the frequency dial on the 8555A runs out at 43GHz some other
means has to be employed to determine the frequency of the wanted signal. Luckily HP also put the LO frequency on the top of the scales, thus
one knows what LO frequency the mixer is seeing!
The IF centre frequency on the highest ranges of the 8555A is 2.05GHz,
thus knowing this, one can, by some arithmetic, work out what the LO
frequency should be.
As an example, to display a 47.088GHz signal, 47.088 minus the
2.05GHz IF will require an LO of 45.038GHz. This is obtained by a x12
multiplication of 3.75GHz LO in the mixer. Thus the frequency set
pointer should be set as close as possible to the LO frequency of
3.75GHz on the top scale of the instrument. Although I have not tried
this, due to lack of a good 3GHz counter, it should be possible to connect a counter to the ext. mixer socket (watch the DC bias!) or the first
LO output socket and with the 8555A set to "manual sweep" set the LO
to precisely this frequency and then reset to "Int. sweep mode" again
with the span set to say 1MHz. However, having said this, it appears that
the "Signal Identifier" on the 8555A still operates in this non-standard
mode thus one can check by the normal means if the signal being displayed is the correct one by the "usual two divisions to the left" offset.
Note that for the external mixer to function and for the LO to be directed
out of the instrument correctly the 8555A must be operated with the
band selector set to one of the frequency ranges above 18GHz. Also note
that in this mode the "Input Attenuator" of the 8555A is not functional,
although the "Log Ref. Level" control is.
If the power of the signal has been measured previously, on a power meter, then a crude calibration of the vertical scale can be made.
The signal being checked into the mixer should be kept to 2mW or less
as driving it harder only produces more mixer products and tends to confuse the measurements. Keeping the input to this sort of level also ensures the longevity of the diode!
It is hoped than when I’m QRV on 76GHz that the same method can be
used to examine the
signal at that frequency.
A similar diode
mounting arrangement is being examined with a view to
producing a useful
waveguide noise
source for noise
figure
measurements
above
24GHz. If successful this will form the
basis of a future
article.
June 2001
From the Web,
thanks to http://
www.qsl.net/
g8bke/HPMIX.
htm
And
Harry,
W3IIT, for bringing this article to
our attention.
4
Hello Ping Kings
This is an announcement of just another update of "Make More
Miles On VHF" from the internet via W3IIT:
Find :
* Announcements of DXpeditions to
JP71 (DL9AN/DH7FB); KM46c (J45M, ops: PE1LWT/
PA2CHR), with complete skedlist; JP91&more (DL2NUD/
DK5KK), with complete op schedule; JM67/76/77 (IK0BZY);
JN83vi (T9/DJ8MS/p) (DJ8MS : ex DG5TR)
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/dx.htm> (DXpeditions)
* Map & listing of DL8EBW's "Most wanted Squares
(Europe) 2001"
* Listing of PA2CHR's "Most Wanted DXCC-countries
(Europe) 2001"
* a FormMailer to submit ur data to DL8EBW's "VHF-DXDatabase"
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/traf.htm> (VHF Links)
* a link to EA6VQ's page about "TEP on 144MHz"
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/traf.htm> (VHF Links)
* a link to schematics & construction details of DL9AN'S pindiode rx/tx switch, capable of handling high power on 144MHz,
might replace a sequencer when used with separate rx/tx antenna
coax (in German language)
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/hard.htm> (Hardware)
* an up-to-date listing of European stations qrv in meteorscatter with eMail addresses of 475 stations in 219 qth-squares of
42 European DXCC countries, the listing is frequently aligned &
updated with DL8EBW's VHF DX DataBase
* for a better view over who's where in Europe : the same listing
also available on a clickable grid map of Europe
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/eurolist.htm> (eMail
Europe)
* an up-to-date listing of North American stations qrv in meteorscatter with eMail addresses of 198 stations in 135 qthsquares of USA/Canada/Cuba (and 1 in Brazil)
* for a better view over who's where in America : the same listing also available on a clickable grid map of North America
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/uslist.htm>
(eMail NorthAmerica)
* DH5HV asking for your support in his struggle against
interferences on 144.015MHz caused by central heating
control (text, mp3-files)
URL : <http://www.meteorscatter.net/interfer.htm>
* New stations for the listing, as well as your updates,
DXpeditions infos, ideas, suggestions are always welcome !!
* Please check your entries on the email listings for validity
and report any changes. Tnx.
73, enjoy!
Bernie dk3xt/ab7iy <[email protected]> <[email protected]>
<http://www.meteorscatter.net>
"Make More Miles On VHF"
<http://www.qsl.net/dk3xt/>
June 9-10 VHF Contest
Calling ALL Pack Rats!
Hi All , hope everyone is all ready and fired up for the
club's big summer operating event , the June VHF QSO Party.
Soon it will be time for W3CCX to shake up the bands from
Camelback mountain! Although the small band of hearty Packrats that make the trip to the mountain make up the backbone of
the W3CCX multi-op , we need to remember that this is an effort
in which everyone in the entire club can contribute to. So at this
point I'd like to thank those who work "behind the scene" to
make this all worthwhile.
Those who work W3CCX from home.... No doubt
about it , this group contributes significantly to the club score and
can make a big difference , I'd like to thank all the Packrats who
took the time to work the club station in the past and to do so
again , indeed I'd like to urge ALL Packrats that can't come up to
the mountain to find a way to work the club station on every band
you can. Tip : try early in the contest , don't wait until Sun. night
to work us up the bands , just in case.
The Rovers.... Take away the multipliers that we get
from the Rovers who activate certain bands in those tough grids
and the drop in the score would be dramatic. Let's give a big
thumbs up to those guys who put in a lot of work to give us those
coveted "rare" ones. ...And all those who help out in other
ways... Let's not forget those who help out in other ways , there
are those in the club who build or loan equipment to use up at the
mountain, and those who tune up and prepare equipment for the
trip. And of course thanks to K3CX for maintaining the beacons
and making sure they are all on line for the effort , they are a
most valuable resource for those of us up on the mountain. Also
the club appreciates the fine job done by W3GXB in storing and
looking after the club equipment through the year.
I think that about sums it up , I'm still looking for a
few more Packrats to come up and help at the site , so if you can
find time to come up PLEASE do so , if not there are other ways
to contribute , the club needs everyone to make the most of this
effort! 73 , CU on the mountain or CU in the Log !!! Al N3ITT
N.E.W.S. URL Change
The N.E.W.S. club URL is changing. In the interim you can use
http://oursite.at/news Watch for further news soon.
-73, Ron WZ1V
Cheese Bits
Another fine example of solid RF construction by N3NGE.
222 Transverter and amplifier in rack panel mounting.
June 2001
5
222, 6m Sprint Tid-bits
1296 Repeater in Philadelphia
ÂUsing a shop vac, I sucked about an inch of dust and fuzz off
of the 222 radio and amp. That occupied the first hour of the
Sprint! Began operating around 8:00 and found conditions quite
good. Signals from EN91, FN35, FN14, FN02 were excellent. Was great to hear "anchor" VHF stations AF1T, W1AIM,
and K1LPS still active and great operators! I worked 44 stations
in 18 grids until the activity died around 10:45.Was nice to be on
the air! Must say that a first-hand look at AA2UK's new rover
gave me the inspiration to drag out the shop vac and fire-up the
station. Thanks Bill and 73 Pack Rats! From Rick, WC2K
Â39 QSO's 12 GRIDS Equipment: Yaesu 726-R, Clegg Apollo
Amplifier 300 Watts 5 Element Telerex Antenna 52'. It was a
fun contest, although activity was poor, a large number of regulars were not on which could have been due to thunderstorms in
the area. My noise level was running s/5 to s/10 from my northwest thru my southwest, could not hear anything but the strongest signals. Living approx 40 west of the coast my main activity
was from the northeast thru the northwest. I like to thank all
those stations who participated in this sprint. Al , K3EOD
Â2 contacts, 2 grids, on 6M. Harry, W3IIT
Â1 contact, 1 grid on 6M. Heard AA3RE working a lot of DX,
but that was about all, as I had the van in the garage. Rick, K1DS
This is a message informing you that our 1.2 GHz repeater is back on the air. It is located in Center City Philadelphia
on a frequency of 1294.950 -20 PL 127.3 Hz. It is normally running in open carrier unless we hear noise bursts. We did not have
the opportunity to upgrade the 7/8” hardline to 1-5/8” so we still
have a fair amount of loss in the line. The 75 watt PA is online
and we are seeing about 40 watts at the antenna.
The repeater will ID giving the time and temperature
on the hour for those that only have scanners to monitor. The
machine has a part time link to 449.775 WB0CPR/R in Philadelphia. Please pass the word around as our friends in Easton also
have a 1200 repeater in the Lehigh Valley on 1294.000 -20 No
PL. Remember that higher elevation locations or tall buildings
near windows offer the best coverage outside Philadelphia. We
hope to hear you on 1.2 soon.
73 DE K3PHL and KB3LRA
The 2001 Southeastern VHF
Conference Proceedings Available
The 2001 Southeastern VHF Conference is history
but you can buy a record of that history now. We have copies of
the proceedings remaining and they are available for sale. The
proceedings, published by the ARRL, are of the same high qualAnnual Pack Rat
ity as those at Central States and other VHF conferences. Some
examples of the papers contained in these proceedings are Introduction to EME by K4TAX, 1296 EME by K0YW, Microwave
Dish Construction and Mounting by WA8WZG and Waveguide
Slot Antennas by W1GHZ. The price is $15 plus $2 postage
book rate or $4 postage first class/priority. A check made out to
the Southeastern VHF Society is fine for payment. Please mail
your check to Jim Worsham, 1915 Oak Wind Lane, Buford, GA,
30519. Please send me an email also letting me know you are
ordering a proceedings so I can make sure I reserve one for
Hi all , hope everyone is enjoying the first taste of the you. Thanks. 73 Jim W4KXY [email protected]
summer weather to come , and thought this might be a good time
to announce this year's annual club picnic. This year's picnic will
The Laureate
again be held at the fabulous La Casa Loca Resort (a.k.a. the qth
of N3ITT) located in scenic Ottsville Bucks County. My wife ,
My uncle John was in the fertilized egg business
Carol and I have been pleased to have hosted the picnic here the
last two years , and have been hard at work to make the picnic when I was young. He had several hundred young layers, called
better than ever! As always the club will provide hot dogs , ham- pullets, and 8 or 10 roosters whose job was to fertilize the eggs.
burgers and beverages (yes beer!) , with members bringing their My uncle kept records and any rooster or pullet that didn't perown special dishes to complete the meal. We will have horse- form well went into the pot and was replaced. Now this took an
shoes , volleyball and badminton set up and of course the pool awful lot of time. So when my uncle saw a set of eight tiny bells
will be ready! Right now we are still firming up the date , but it that each rang a different tone he promptly bought them. He
looks like Sat. Aug. 4th (with the 5th as rain date) looks the best glued a piece of foam rubber to each clapper shaft so the bell
for us , although we can move it if it's a problem for too many wouldn't ring except when violently shaken. He hung a bell on
people. So if you think you can take a day of eating , drinking , each rooster's neck and went and mixed a Mint Julep. Now he
hangin' by the pool , and just plain old kickin' back and having could sit on the porch and sip while filling out an efficiency refun , be sure to sign on for THE PACK RAT PICNIC !! Please port on the roosters by listening to the different tones of the bells
RSVP as to how many in your family will be attending and what and marking down each encounter. My uncle's favorite rooster
you will bring. Hope to hear from you soon and CU at the pic- was old Brewster. A very fine specimen he was, but his bell had
not rung all morning. Uncle John went to investigate. Several
nic!! 73 Al N3ITT [email protected]
roosters were chasing pullets, bells a-ringing. Brewster had his
bell in his beak so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do
his job and walk on to the next one. Uncle was so proud of
Brewster he entered him in the county fair.
Brewster was an overnight sensation.They not only
awarded him the No Bell Prize but also the Pullet Surprise.
Cheese Bits
June 2001
6
Moving Your Cheese (for sale)
Transco SPDT 28vdc antenna relay, sma connectors removed
from a 10ghz radio, so I would assume that it would be fine for
10368. $25 shipped. Two available. Operating & Service manual
for HP5255A frequency converter. $20 shipped.
Brand new Yaesu FT-847 ( purchased 4-18-01 ) for sale. Needless to say it is mint. $1250. Yaesu FT-726R with the 2 meter
module only. The radio is in excellent condition physically and
electrically. I just purchased a new rig and no now this radio is
not needed. Comes with all original accessories. $325 plus shipping. Chuck WA2ONK [email protected]
For Sale: Diamond MX-3000 144/430/1200MHz Triplexer, $40
New In Box N-conn @Sum Port, N-conn @850 to 1300MHz
port, rest PL25912-inch cables for 3 radio connections.AES selling price $80 Dave W3KM 215-795-2648
[email protected]
Anybody want some Andrew EW52 elliptical waveguide? Have
several hundred feet to give away. It's in excellent condition and
is perfect for 5.7 Ghz. I'm conducting my annual spring cleanout of cable and harware and this stuff will become scrap copper
if there's no takers. Contact me if you want it...pick-up from my
QTH. 73, Rick/WC2K
Millennial Cumulative Microwave
Contest Results
The contest committee has finished tabulating the results and the
beer. The official results are:
First place
Second
Third
Fourth
ND3F
AF1T
K2AXX
WZ1V
379,860 points
295,807
2,012
1,264
The gaudy trophy for first place and plaques for second through
fourth places will be presented at the North East VHF/UHF contest. The fifth place plaque went unclaimed - don't you wish
you'd submitted your entry? Well, you'll get another chance, in
the real millennium year, 2001. NEWS will be sponsoring the
contest again. To help with the scoring (yes, I never got around
to it either) we will be developing software that will process your
Cabrillo-format logs and extract the qualifying microwave contacts for you. Details and entry form available online at www.
w1ghz.cx and on the NEWS web page.
The 2001 Eastern VHF/UHF Conference
Down East transverter 28 - 50 mc. $300 A-1050 brick $200
Swan Mark 6 Amp. Pair 3-500 New power transformer. Has external relay $750 Cushcraft Boomer 34 foot boom $200
Down East 4 element Brand New $100 I have been thinking
about this for quite some time. Hate to do it but I must be practical. Thank you Herb Station op for WA2FGK If you know anyone that would like to go big time six meters please have them
contact me via E mail. [email protected]
Conference will be held on August 31, Sept 1&3. This is 1 week
later than in past years. We hope that this will not cause any
problems for anyone. We are in the process of finalizing the
speakers and proceedings. Anyone wishing to be a speaker or to
present a paper either in person or for the proceedings should
please contact the author. The conference will be held in the same
location as last year, the Radisson Hotel in Enfield, CT. Further
MMT28-432 Microwave Module for sale for $145.00+shpg. Unit info will be forthcoming and available on the NEWS Web site as
incl. manual and mating 5pin din power/control plug.73, Norm it develops. Please mark your calender with this date. A block of
Hotel rooms has been reserved for both Friday and Saturday
WA6ZFK [email protected]
nights under the NEWS Group or Eastern VHF/UHF Conference.
Bird Peak Reading Conversion Kit (4300-400) for Bird 43 watt- Thanks & 73's Bruce N2LIV
meter. New in box. $85 6 meter 4 element 50 mhz Rutland Array beam model RA4-50. $70 903 mhz amp - DownEast Micro“Big Cheese” News
wave 3318PAS R, 1 w in 18 out. Wired for SSB Rover
board. (Can be converted to 1296) $150 144/222/440 Triband
FCC reiterates license renewal and modification baFM rig - Kenwood TM-742A. 50w/25w/35w Comet Triplexer,
Diamond mobile antenna and Comet CX-333 base antenna in- sics: The FCC took advantage of the Dayton Hamvention FCC
cluded. Like new. $600 Heil BM-10 headset and boom micro- forum to remind Amateur Service licensees that license renewal
and modification now is done via the Universal Licensing Sysphone - $45 John B. N8UM [email protected]
tem--or ULS. The ULS is accessible via the FCC ULS Web site,
Rohn Tower HDBX48 like new $500
http://www.fcc.gov/wtb/uls. Bill Cross, W3TN, of the FCC's
50 mc 4 element Down East New $100
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau noted that Amateur Radio
28 mc 3 element Cushcraft One season $75
licenses may not be renewed any sooner than 90 days prior to
50 mc Preamp. Brand new Down East 6MLNA $50
license expiration. When only changing an address, he said, liThank you Herb K2LNS 570-472-2230
censees should choose the "Administrative Update" (AU) option.
Henry 432 Commercial version amplifier for sale $750.00
When renewing only, he said, choose "Renewal Only" (RO). To
609-352-1789. 73 Bill
change an address while renewing your license within the 90-day
Mini-Circuits has +37 dBm, 8 dB loss IP3 mixers that can be window, select the "Renewal/Modification" option. An applicaused for a 2M to 14 MHz converter (IF 0.5 to 20MHz) with just tion requesting renewal that's outside the 90-day window will be
16 dBm of LO drive. They are under $17each in small quanti- dismissed, Cross said. Modifications no longer automatically result in a new ten-year license term. Call sign changes are not
ties. Looks like a good choice for a high performance single
conversion rig Models HJK-3H and HUD-3H.--via Zack W1VT made unless requested by the licensee. Cross said amateur applicants needing assistance or who believe they have made an error
on an application they've filed should contact the ULS help desk,
[email protected].
Cheese Bits
June 2001
7
June 21st Meeting location
Otto’s 233 Easton Rd
Horsham PA
Map to the meeting site for Jun 21st, Elections and Celebration Party at Otto’s Brauhaus & Restaurant, 8PM. Must be present to vote
Cheese Bits
June 2001
8
Map to Bob’s, W3GXB, for loading Friday, Jun 8@ 8:30AM
1449 MAPLE RD, Kintnersville, PA 18930-9551
Cheese Bits
June 2001
9
Our June VHF Site on Camelback Mountain in the Poconos.
Follow signs to the Camelback Ski Area, then when you begin to ascend the mountain, stay on the main mountain road all the way to
the top-most parking lot. Pack some warm clothing, as it is 2200’ asl, and may be cool and breezy. Rain gear might be needed if
there is a weather change. Whether you are coming for a few hours or for the weekend, be sure to come!!! For those unable to make
it, point your antennas this way—to FN21hb.
Cheese Bits
June 2001
10
Cheese Bits
June 2001
11